Press room

The Barbican Centre, in collaboration with the City of London Corporation, has launched an exercise to explore potential future uses of its two currently vacant exhibition halls, as part of the wider Barbican Renewal programme. 

Barbican Renewal is a plan to ensure every part of the Centre’s iconic site is restored, revitalised and relevant for future generations. Phase one focuses on the Foyers, Lakeside and Conservatory and this early-stage engagement activity relates to phase two.

Expressions of interest are invited from organisations across the creative, commercial and civic sectors with innovative ideas to bring these significant spaces back into public and productive use.

The halls are located at a key strategic site within the Square Mile at a critical axis between the new London Museum, Smithfield Market and the rest of the Barbican Centre as well as Guildhall School of Music and Drama. They cover approximately 9,500 square metres - the equivalent of 36 tennis courts - of unused space across two levels. 

Once a home to conferences and commercial exhibitions, and a vital source of income for the Barbican, the halls have been largely dormant since 2010 and now offer a unique opportunity for repurposing within one of London’s most iconic sites. 

The Exhibition Halls are expected to be available for redevelopment from 2028. This soft market testing seeks ideas that align with the ambitions of the Barbican Renewal programme, the City Corporation’s Destination City strategy, and broader objectives around sustainability, inclusivity, and public realm enhancement outlined in the City Corporation’s Corporate Plan.

Philippa Simpson, Director for Buildings and Renewal, says: “Sitting at the heart of the cultural life of the City, the Barbican’s Exhibition Halls offer an unparalleled opportunity to shape the creative and commercial future of the Capital. We are excited to explore the possibilities for bringing these extraordinary spaces back to life, and to work in closer dialogue with neighbouring sites and venues to bring new audiences to the Square Mile.”

Interested parties are invited to propose either joint or separate uses for exhibition halls 1 and 2. Proposals that incorporate meanwhile use, long-term models, or partnership opportunities are also welcome, particularly where they reflect cultural or creative value and activate the area for visitors and the local community alike.

The testing process will inform the next phase of strategic planning and future procurement. While the Barbican and City Corporation are not committing to any specific project at this stage, the exercise will help assess appetite, feasibility, and partnership potential.

A questionnaire and information pack are available upon request. Site visits will also be arranged. The deadline for submissions is midnight 1 August 2025. 

For further information please email: [email protected]